SPIRITUALITY

Staying true to God’s story, which values every person

Stories are one of my favourite forms of literature.

They have the capacity to allow us to travel in our imaginations. Stories can help us understand ourselves and our place in the world. They have the capacity to expand our horizons. Stories can help articulate our sense of purpose, our feelings and our values.

As we celebrate 120 years of Perth College this year and re-tell the stories of the Community of the Sisters of the Church who began their work here, it is worth remembering that they centred their lives and purpose grounded in the stories of God found in the Christian tradition.

distance groups and students were required to hand sanitise and wear masks on entry to the theatre at all times. If in isolation, students were not allowed to attend rehearsal, even if attending school. We were notified of the first positive case on Wednesday afternoon at 3.00 pm, two hours before we had called the students to be at the theatre to prepare for the first Preview show.

We had to call parents and the company together for an urgent production meeting at 5.00 pm. We specified that every company member need to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or support person. The company were aware of some talk about COVID-19 and we had been operating under the threat for some time. I think students knew what might be coming. All company members and parents were relieved and grateful to hear the production had been postponed and not cancelled outright.

Students received the news well. They were very sad and disappointed but they understood.

We all want to entire company well enough to experience the joy of being in the musical.

It was devastating to think we might have company members who worked so hard, watching from home. That thought was heart breaking for all production staff. Principal Helen Aguiar and Director Tyler Jones both delivered beautiful heartfelt authentic messages of sorrow, regret and hope for the new season.

Their ability to maintain composure in difficult circumstances, their focus on remaining true to their purpose and their capacity for finding ways to achieve this purpose came from their faith in a God who values every person.

When Sister Emily recognised “every human soul…as beautiful and necessary to God’s earth as the most exalted saint or hero who ever lived” (p7 Built on Faith) she was echoing the Judaeo-Christian understanding of humanity being formed in God’s image and extending Jesus’ teaching that whenever we offer something to drink for those who are thirsty, we are doing so to Him. Jesus taught that the greatest commandment was to love God and the second was to love your neighbour as yourself. In showing love to our neighbour, we demonstrate love to God. In their work at Perth College and around the world, The Community of the Sisters of the Church continued the Divine story. We are part of the fruit of that story and contain within ourselves the seeds to regenerate the story of recognising and responding to the Divine, wherever we may be.

Reverend Linda Pilton

They talked about our PC values and how at this time, when faced with grief and loss, it was more important than ever to live by these values and simply be kind.

Our young people have become very resilient in the face of COVID-19 disappointment. They have learned to be flexible, to adapt and also to be very grateful.

We have seen this in the messages sent to Arts staff. They are all hopeful and counting down the days until Term Three, when the show goes on!

Maree Grayden

HEAD OF THE ARTS